7 Common Nighttime Habits That Are Ruining Your Complexion

If we asked you about your evening skincare routine, what would you answer? If you're anything like us, the last thing you want to do after a long day at work (especially during the winter) is think about your beauty routine. All you want to do is slob out in front of Netflix, but there are some classic habits that we're all guilty of having that are ruining our complexions. There are some more obvious ones, but there are also a few surprises that we know you'll want to consider before jumping into bed.

So if you're wondering why you're starting to see a few more wrinkles around your eyes or your skin isn't looking so hot right now, then perhaps one of these seven problems could be the answer. Keep scrolling for the seven common nighttime habits that are ruining your skin.

#1: You’re Not Taking Off Your Makeup

Disclaimer: We're genuinely not trying to shame you here but we know that not everyone takes off their makeup before they go to bed, especially when we’ve got home later than usual (or had a few glasses of wine). The truth is that getting into bed as quickly as possible is far too tempting. But be warned, sleeping in your makeup not only can clog your pores, it can also cause wrinkles (we know because we slept in our makeup for a week, and ended up with some rather tasty wrinkles under our eyes). Khloé Kardashian is all about taking off her makeup at night and recommends MAC's Bulk Wipes to clean her face. While we're not fans of face wipes, there are plenty of oil-based cleansing washes and micellar waters that will take it off pronto.

Skincare expert Nichola Joss recommends the double cleanse. So what exactly does that mean? Well, we’ll tell you. The first cleanse takes off makeup, dirt and pollution, the second cleanse removes the first cleanser so you don’t clog your pores and gives you a deeper overall skin cleanse. You don't even necessarily need to use a different product.

#3: You’re Checking Your Phone

We don't want to gross you out, but your phone is disgusting. Think about it: You use it all day, so it's bound to pick up all sorts of bacteria that if you put up to your face could potentially cause breakouts. The trick to avoiding this? Ensure you go hands-free. But there's another reason why you should put away the phone. The blue light emitted from the phone can inhibit a good night's sleep, as it can prevent the production of melatonin, which is the hormone you need to fall asleep (try a melatonin supplement if you're struggling to switch off). And we all know that a good eight hours is the key to looking incredible. They don't call it beauty sleep for nothing…

#4: You’re Not Getting Enough Sleep

Which leads us nicely onto the fact that you're not getting enough sleep. Jennifer Lopez swears by her eight hours every night, even going so far as to say it's her secret “weapon.” Considering that she looks years younger than her actual age, it's safe to say that this is probably the best advice to follow. If you're not able to get enough sleep, try the Sleep Cycle alarm clock app. It will track your sleep cycles to ensure you optimise when you should go to bed and when you should wake up. We're also massive fans of the Pukka Night Time Tea (£2), as it contains lavender to help you relax. A spoonful of honey is also meant to help you sleep better too.

Okay, so you've been good and drank water all day so you don't need to drink any H2O before bed, right? Wrong. Not only will you help your body repair itself, it will also help brain function, meaning you're more likely to get that eight hours sleep. Kendall Jenner is also a real advocate of hydrating before bed, and we don't need to tell you that she always looks incredible.

Did you know that sleeping in different positions can actually affect your skin? According to dermatologist Rebecca Kazin, "If you repeatedly sleep in the same position, form the same sleep lines, and deplete skin elasticity in the same areas, it could cause permanent lines to form." Time to move around in your sleep more. Also, try the Nurse Jamie Age Delay Beauty Pillow (£46). The satin cover doesn't absorb your natural skin oils, allowing for your face to stay more hydrated. It also supports your neck and lumbar muscles to aide a better night's sleep.